Washed Ashore at Como Zoo: See 10 Amazing Recycled Art Sculptures

If you’re looking for something different to see at Como Zoo this summer, keep an eye out for some very unusual animals.

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea is on display throughout the zoo grounds through Labor Day. This travelling exhibit features 10 enormous sculptures of marine and coastal wildlife. And while these colorful sculptures are beautiful from a distance, getting closer reveals something surprising:

They’re made entirely from plastic pollution and marine debris collected from beaches and waterways.

Look closely and you’ll find bottle caps, toothbrushes, flip flops, fishing gear, toys, disposable lighters, tires and other pieces of everyday trash incorporated into the sculptures.

It’s the kind of exhibit that kids will want to stop and look at—and then you’ll probably find yourself looking more closely, too.

Art With an Important Message

Washed Ashore is a nonprofit organization that uses art to educate people about plastic pollution and its impact on oceans, waterways and wildlife.

The sculptures are created from debris collected by thousands of volunteers from beaches and waterways, under the direction of artist and educator Angela Haseltine Pozzi.

The result is pretty amazing. Ordinary pieces of plastic and trash that might otherwise have ended up in the ocean are transformed into enormous works of art.

Each sculpture is accompanied by educational information, making the exhibit a fun way for kids to learn about conservation without feeling like they’re sitting through a lesson.

10 Washed Ashore Sculptures to Look For at Como Zoo

There are 10 sculptures located throughout Como Zoo this summer:

Chompers Bull Shark
Gertrude African Penguin
Hugo Humpback Whale Tail
Sea Jelly Bloom
Scrappy the Sea Lion Pup
Priscilla Rainbow Parrotfish
Rosa Bald Eagle
Nora Salmon
Natasha Sea Turtle
Sebastian James the Puffin

If you’re visiting with kids, I think it would be fun to turn the exhibit into a little scavenger hunt and see how many of the 10 you can find.

Natasha the Sea Turtle

One of the biggest—and hardest to miss—is Natasha the Sea Turtle.

She’s about 11 feet long and weighs approximately 1,200 pounds.

Like all of the Washed Ashore sculptures, Natasha is made from real marine debris. Seeing the sheer amount of material incorporated into one sculpture makes the exhibit’s message especially powerful.

Rosa the Bald Eagle

Rosa the Bald Eagle is another impressive sculpture.

She stands about 9.5 feet tall and stretches 17 feet long, depicting a bald eagle pulling a fish from the water.

Her story is a reminder that plastic pollution doesn’t necessarily stay where it was discarded. Trash can move through waterways, enter the food chain and affect wildlife far from where it originated.

Don’t Miss the Puffin, Penguin and Sea Lion

The smaller details on these sculptures are just as interesting as their size.

Sebastian James the Puffin helps tell the story of seabirds that can mistake plastic for food or become entangled in abandoned fishing gear.

Gertrude the African Penguin and Scrappy the Sea Lion Pup are two more fun ones to look for as you make your way around the zoo.

I found myself wanting to get closer to each sculpture because once you know what they’re made from, you start seeing all those little pieces of plastic and debris that make up the animals.

A Conservation Lesson Kids Can Actually See

One thing I like about this exhibit is that the message isn’t just about telling kids not to litter.

Washed Ashore encourages visitors to think about the everyday choices that can help protect wildlife and waterways:

Reduce single-use plastics when possible.
Reuse items instead of throwing them away.
Recycle properly.
Keep trash out of storm drains and natural spaces.
Think about how everyday choices can affect wildlife.

The sculptures make those ideas tangible. Instead of just hearing about plastic pollution, kids can actually see what thousands of pieces of discarded plastic can become.

Learn more here.

Make a Full Day of Your Como Park Visit

And if you’re already planning a trip to see the Washed Ashore sculptures, it’s easy to turn your visit into a full day at Como Park.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free, so you can explore the zoo and see the sculptures without paying admission.

Then, when the kids are ready for rides, you can head over to Como Town. One thing that isn’t always obvious is that you can move freely between Como Zoo and Como Town, making it easy to combine the two during the same outing.

Save 20% on Como Town Wristbands

Right now, Twin Cities Frugal Mom readers can save 20% on unlimited Como Town wristbands with code TCFM20 when purchasing online.

🎟️ Use code: TCFM20
📅 Offer valid through August 31, 2026

So you could start your day exploring the zoo and looking for the Washed Ashore sculptures, take a break for lunch or a snack, and then spend some time riding at Como Town.

Plan Your Visit

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea is on display at Como Park Zoo through Labor Day 2026.

Admission to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free, although voluntary donations are appreciated and help keep Como free and accessible for everyone.

If you haven’t been to Como Zoo this summer, this is a fun reason to go. The Washed Ashore sculptures add something new to a familiar family destination—and you may find yourself looking at everyday plastic a little differently afterward.

And if you’re looking for even more family fun, don’t forget to use TCFM20 for 20% off unlimited Como Town wristbands through August 31st.

This post is sponsored by Como Town. All opinions are my own.